Carrick Wheelers rider Hugh Mulhearne made a return to winning ways last weekend with an impressive win in the Christy McManus Memorial Race promoted by Bray Wheelers. Mulhearne made the trip to Ireland’s highest village Roundwood to enter what was only his second open senior race of 2011 having competed aggressively in last month’s Kanturk 3- Day.
In this 87km event, 83 riders took to the start line, all with ambitions of taking home the stunning Christy McManus Memorial Trophy. On the opening lap of seven, a break-away group of 8 riders, including Mulhearne, went clear of the main field or peleton as it is now more attractively known, and built up a lead over just over a minute. However, the strong Meath based Team Dectek were unrepresented in this threatening move and began a hard chase on the front of the main field and succeeded in recapturing this break-away move and the field was all together again by the half-way stage.
With the hard undulating roads in the area of Roundwood a second split was imminent and going out on the 4th lap, the race winning break had formed, as a 12-man group went clear and established a sizable advantage on the rest of the field. This group rode strongly together until the final lap of the event when with Mulhearne as catalyst, the attacking began. At this late stage in the race the tiredness of the day previous 80 km or so took its toll and heading into the final kilometres, six leading riders remained to fight it out for a sprint finish, or so they thought!
Mulhearne noticing the others attempts to save themselves for the final sprint finish, launched a surprise solo attack with 1km to go and the others hesitation to chase, got him the gap he needed as he dug deep into his reserves and took maximum risk into the final corner. As he entered the finishing straight he looked over his shoulder to see his break-away companions now hot pursuit but knew his gap was good enough for him to raise both arms to win the 2011 Christy McManus Memorial!
This is Hugh Mulhearne’s first win since 2009 as he took a break from the domestic racing scene last year to help his wife Breda raise their young son Hugh Óg as well as their beautiful new born twins, Rory and Orla! This victory is a great boost for the Mahon Bridge man as he prepares for his next target; The National Cycling Championships in Emyvale Co. Monaghan on June 26th and the trophy from this remarkable victory will surely give him plenty of motivation to train for this prestigious event!
Christy McManus Trophy, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.
1 Hugh Mulhearne (Carrick Wheelers CC)
2 Brian Cullen (Barrow Wheelers)
3 Pat Deegan (EuroCycles);
4 John McCormack (Stagg Cycles/Lucan CC)
5 Mark Gill (South Dublin)
6 Damien Kelly (Eric)
Carrick Wheelers rider Hugh Mulhearne being presented with the Christy McManus Memorial Trophy. Photos: Mary Dawson.
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